NewsTECHForum Turns Spotlight On Drones

American efforts to develop a newsgathering drone, and overseas journalists’ experience at using them, will be the subject of a high-profile panel session on Dec. 16 in New York at the second annual NewsTECHForum.

During the panel, Greg Agvent, director of planning and logistics at CNN, will describe the network’s work with Georgia Tech to test rotor wing, fixed wing and tethered drones for use in different kinds of newsgathering and to develop specs for newsgathering drones.

Andy Bocking, technology controller at the BBC, will recount how journalists at the network group are using drones and Jim Williams, manager of the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Office, will talk about the agency’s progress in approving the use of unmanned aircraft for news purposes.

“Drones will one day be critically important tools for newsgathering, allowing broadcasters to deliver vitally important images to the American public during emergencies and permitting producers to achieve camera angles they can’t get with current technology,” said Harry A. Jessell, TVNewsCheck’s editor and moderator for the Drones and Newsgathering panel session. “We are extremely pleased to be able to present this important panel session at the 2014 NewsTECHForum.

The Drones and Newsgathering panel is set for Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and will close the NewsTECHForum, which will convene Monday, Dec. 15 at noon with a keynote one-on-one interview with Sinclair Broadcast Group CEO David Smith.

NewsTECHForum will take place at the New York Hilton and be co-located with the annual Sports Video Group Summit. Attendees of both conferences will be permitted to attend sessions at either event.

NewsTECHForum gathers news and technology executives and managers to talk about the unique challenges they face at the intersection of technology and news storytelling. It is presented by TVNewsCheck and Sports Video Group.

Register for NewsTECHForum here.